Opening date confirmed for new Smyths toy store in Grimsby which will create more than 30 jobs

The former JJB Sports unit on Victoria Retail Park, which is being turned into a Smyths Toys Superstore.

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A NEW toy store in Grimsby is set to create more than 30 jobs.Smyths Toys Superstores has announced that its new outlet, at the Victoria Retail Park, will open on Saturday, September 27.As previously reported, work has already begun on the new store, which will be located in the vacant unit previously occupied by JJB Sports.Smyths expects more than 30 jobs to be created at the 15,000 sq ft store, ranging from retail assistants to management positions.Further positions are set to be created later in the year.Rob Guckian, a spokesman for the toy retailer, said: “Smyths Toys Superstores are thrilled to announce the opening of our new store in Grimsby. We look forward to offering the people here the best possible selection and quality of products, all delivered with exceptional service. “Opening a new store in the area also allows to us to offer some fantastic employment opportunities to people in the local community. We are looking for hard-working, enthusiastic staff and encourage them to find out more on our website at SmythsToys.com, where positions are currently being advertised.”Smyths Toys Superstores currently trade from more than 70 stores throughout the UK and Ireland and expects to open a further seven to eight new stores in the next 12 months. Founded in 1987 by the brothers Anthony, Padraig, Liam and Thomas Smyth, it is the largest toy retailer in Ireland.The chain was named Toy Retailer Of The Year, in January 2014, for companies with more than 30 stores – beating off competition from rivals Toys R Us.The new store in Grimsby will offer a massive range of products, from dolls and action figures to baby products, video games and playsets. Grimsby will be the fifth Smyths store to open in the Yorkshire and Humber region, after Barnsley, Hull, Leeds and Sheffield.JJB left the unit in 2012, after administrators KPMG shut down a total of 133 stores and sold the remaining 20 to rival Sports Direct International.Meanwhile, just along the road, Homebase has announced that its Grimsby store is to close soon on Saturday, September 20. As previously reported, the store in Victoria Street was one of several across the country earmarked for closure.It has since been confirmed that The Range will be opening up in the premises in time for Christmas.In 2012, Homebase announced it would be closing 40 stores in the following five years.The retailer has 65 store leases coming up for renewal, and says it is planning to close all but 25 of them.The closures are part of a decision to halt expansion and to concentrate on multi-channel development, as seen with their introduction of Argos in some Homebase stores.The Range confirmed it would be opening the store earlier this month, following months of speculation.An opening date of October 31 was initially planned, but this has since been put back to later in the year.The new homewares store is expected to create 100 new jobs.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

'Carrot_top' you've still not provided any proof for your derisory comment and inviting people to open up a shortcut as evidence is no proof at all. I wouldn't open any shortcut posted on any forum such as this because that would be far too dangerous. Everyone dipping into the web should be aware that it is filled with a shocker (collective noun for web loonies) of weird individuals, with axes to grind and offensive fictional stories to tell in order to spice up their failed and dull lives.
Sorry 'Carrot_top', you need to publish the email in full, with all address / date details, so that if you made it up you could be taken to court. Failing to do that 'Carrot_top' makes you a fantasy writer who hasn't grown up and is still rooted in the infant school playground.

Alas no fairytale, and certainly not hungry for attention, as can be seen by the lack of other comments, but you seem to have been hooked like a flapping mullet. kcdb97h, having received an email from them turning me down for a job because of my age, why on earth would I keep the email? All I am doing is stating a fact. Why is it OK for others to bemoan about other businesses left right and centre, but by the sounds of it, in your eyes, Smyths Toys are 'holier than thou'. Well grow a pair and accept that not every one is 115% happy with the company. Also take note of the link posted by durian1788. Those comments are from EX-employees who have had the misfortune to work for Smyths. Need I say more?

I don't believe you Carrot_Top let's have some verification for your abusive comment about this company. Companies don't behave like that and without verification you should be made to withdraw your comment. You're just a fairytale merchant, hungry for attention. Grow up!

I received a very terse email from them after I applied online for one of the vacancies. Basically saying "Sorry you are too old to work for us". With an attitude like that, I wouldnt fancy working for them anyway.